Home

Now that I have returned home and have let it sink in for a few days, I feel like this experience was one of the best I have ever had. The highlight of this program for me was not necessarily one particular event, but it was more the entire experience. I feel like I was really able to be emerged in the German culture, as well as strongly build my German language abilities. My perception of the German culture has changed slightly, but not a large amount. I learned many small things about German culture, such as why they drink their beer at room temperature. This is because they believe that cold beer is bad for the stomach, as the human stomach is 98.6 degrees and the quick change of temperature is unhealthy. Also, many people have the perception that German people are a bit rude and unwelcoming. I found this to be very untrue. Everywhere I went people were welcoming and couldn't wait to introduce themselves to me, and were for the most part very helpful understanding I was not fluent in German, and they went out of their way to speak slowly.

The thing that has changed the most for me is that I recognize that people from everywhere have at least some things in common. I never realized an person from America and a person from Pakistan or Russia can have so many things in common. This is something that I found to be truly amazing, and it really restored some of my lost faith in humanity and our ability to find world agreements. This world will never be without war and controversy, but I realize that it is possible to become much closer to an impossible nirvana than we are today.

Erfurt

Erfurt was a city the was truly impressive city. Not only for its history, but for its architecture as well. The most impressive thing for me personally was the Cathedral. This was unlike anything I have ever seen. The pure size and precision of the Cathedral and the Church's construction was incredible. I also found the wise and foolish virgins outside the Church to be really cool. I wasn't completely sure of their meaning, but it was a very cool sight. Also, the alter in the Cathedral was something incredible. It was easily double the size

I was surprise by the pure size of the city, as I found it impossible to take everything in during only one day. I also found it to be very interesting that Martin Luther considered it his 'Spiritual home town'. I also really enjoyed the Cathedral Square and I was able to find the time to have a Bratwurst and beer while sitting in the square. I found the preparatory reading to very helpful, especially when reading about the blue dye and learning that Erfurt was the center of trade in the Middle ages. All in all I was especially impressed while walking through Erfurt and would love to go back and spend a longer amount of time there.

Changes in Attitude

I have noticed that the people here have been very open to people from all cultures. I think it is a common misconception that Germans are intolerant to people from other countries, and this is no true. I think that Americans are not always received as well as they should be, but for me it has been nothing but warm welcomes and questions regarding my home country. Many people here say the are working hard to be able to come to America and study.
I have learned that the the Germans have a very strict way of doing their things. For example, when they work or learn, they are very serious and put a lot of effort in to it. That being said, I have learned that Germans also have a lot of fun and enjoy to party just like everyone else in the world. People here are very welcoming and I definitely intend on returning.

Adaptation to Life in Germany

I feel I am adapting to life here very well. It took some time to get used to eating my large meal of the day at lunch time, rather than at dinner. Also, I am not used to walking everywhere like I do here, as Cincinnati is much too large to do this. I think this has been an overall improvement, as it allows me to burn more calories and I don't eat as much at night before bed anymore.
I think being here has made me realize that I should have a more steady eating schedule at home, rather than eating at random times. This is much healthier. Also, I think I take for granted the fact that I have a car at home, which makes traveling much easier. Overall I am very pleased with the Adaptation I have made to German life, and I am going to have to keep some of the habits from Germany going back home.

Surprises

While nothing here has totally blown my mind, I have encountered quite a few surprises. To start with my pleasant surprise, I was quite shocked to see how warm of a reception I recieved as an American. I can not begin to count the number of people who say they can not wait to be able to go to America someday, and they all seem to have a high opinion of the American culture and our people. Also, I would say about 90% of music played here is music from America, especially things like pop and rock music. Even on the radio, its almost all American music. An unpleasant surprise is the fact the things are so expensive, and it even costs 50 cents or more to use a bathroom. I suppose its an effective way of making money, but I still have trouble wrapping my head around a restroom costing money. I guess this taught me that we are in some ways spoiled in America and it gets taken for grandit sometimes.
As far as dealing with novelty, I feel as if I approach is the same in Germany as I do back home. I typically approach things head on, and try to make the best out of any new situation. I feel like this is the only way to sucessfully approach things. I have learned about myself that I am capable of becoming friends with people from all over the world very quickly. I had thought that our differences in culture would not allow us to become such good friends, but I discovered that we are all human, and we are all much more similar than most people would think. People can surprise you, if given the chance.

Bergfest

This week was Bergfest. It was a fun cookout in the woods overlooking a beautiful lake and a nice bonfire. This is called Bergfest because we are exactly half way through the course, of at the 'peak of the mountain', which is what 'Berg' means. So far this has been a truely awesome expierence. I am not only learning an abundance of information, but I have met numerous people that I have quickly become friends with. As expected, I miss my family and friends, but the time here is so enjoyable and goes by so quickly that its hard to feel too homesick. I think most people feel the same, and everyone realizes that such a great opportunity like this is something that you must take advantage of. One thing I have noticed is that many people from other countries dont seem to express how much they miss their families, because being in Germany is a great improvement from some of their troubled native lands, so they understand that this is being done to better their lives. My class has become a close group, and its always a fun learning environment. My German is improving daily and will continue to do so. I am looking forward to being able to share stories and pictures with my family and show them how much I enjoyed it here.

Eisenach/Wartburg Castle

Today we visited the city of Eisenach, which is directly historically linked to the Wartburg castle. This was my first time ever seeing a castle and the art and arcitecture was absolutely perfect. Wartburg was supposedly built in the year 1067, although the exact year is sometimes debated. The castle sits on top of a giant mountain/hill and the view is amazing. Although it was rainy and the fog was thick, it made the castle seem as if it had returned to its dark ages. The castle was especially interesting for me because this is where Martin Luther was when he did his work translating the Bible in German, which is very significant in German history. The castle had many amazing religious paintings, as well as a suit of knights armor and the room where Martin Luther did his work on display. This left a deep impression on me, because I know that this translation of the bible was something that not only changed German history forever, but the world's history as well.
Eisenach was also very nice, although is was pouring rain essentially the entire time we were there. But of course the sun came out as we got on the bus to leave. Oh well, umbrellas work wonders. The main thing I took away from Eisenach was that not only did Martin Luther live there as a child, but it was the birthplace of world famous musician/composer Johann Sebastian Bach. I found this to be very cool, as these are both names that would ring a bell anywhere in the world. Here is a picture of some of Wartburg's art, as well as a knights armor and a statue of Bach in Eisenach.